He said the white bean and ham hock pressed terrine at Roam was a standout dish, as was The Rose Irish Pub’s confit duck leg and oysters Rockefeller at Vinci’s.
“That was exceptional and may have converted me to cooked oysters.”
Bonnett said Mix’d Cocktail Bar’s mock apple pie, which was inspired by depression era cuisine, was so good he had to have it twice.
“That was exceptionally good and no apples were harmed in the course of producing that dish.”
Throughout the weekend, Steam Incorporated took crowds aboard the 1915-built steam locomotive Ab 608 ‘Passchendaele’, heritage diesel electric locomotive and red heritage carriages, for scenic journeys along Hawke’s Bay’s railways – with the trains’ whistles ringing throughout the region.
Saturday’s Vintage Car Display in Memorial Square, presented by the Hawke’s Bay Vintage Car Club.
On Friday, Art Deco Trust held its Hidden Speakeasy.
Attendees met at the trust building and then were bused under cover of darkness to a secret location in Hastings, better known as Pask Winery.
There, the secret password unlocked smooth jazz, burlesque dancers, vintage cocktails and delicious wine.
“It had great atmosphere and was well attended by local and out of town gangsters and a number of international visitors from across the ditch,” Bonnett said.
He expected international attendee numbers to grow in the years to come following a targeted marketing campaign.
“Our audience for 2027 our mailing list, our followers is significantly larger than it was or has ever been. So we’re pretty excited to welcome an entirely new international audience for 2027.”
Saturday’s events were centred around Napier’s Memorial Square with vintage car displays and music from members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band.
Bonnett said it was great to see local businesses heaving and people making the most of the sunny weather.
He also noticed an increase in interest from a younger audience.
“A lot more younger people were keen to participate in the Winter Deco events, which is reassuring for the future.”
The winning entrants from Saturday’s Winter Deco Fashion Flaunt, held outside the Art Deco Trust in Memorial Square.
Sunday featured vintage cars at the Napier Soundshell, but Bonnett said the day was more about wining and dining along the Taste Trail.
Bonnett said ticket sales were up on previous years, but the data wasn’t in yet for exact numbers.
He said planning for the February 2027 Art Deco Festival began on Monday.
Jack Riddell is a multimedia journalist with Hawke’s Bay Today and has worked in radio and media in the UK, Germany, and New Zealand.